Sunday, July 24, 2011

Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Goes on Display

Starting July 23rd through Oct. 3, the wedding gown Sarah Burton designed for Kate Middleton will be on display to the public at Buckingham Palace as part of “The Royal Wedding Dress: A Story of Great British Design." In addition to the gown, Middleton's handcrafted Alexander McQueen bridal shoes (size 8, with three-inch heels), the diamond acorn earrings gifted to her by her parents, the Cartier Halo tiara she wore that was loaned by the Queen, and a silk flower replica of her bridal bouquet are all showcased for close viewing. There's also a 5-minute film about the creation of the dress, featuring Burton.

Among those details that were not visible from the wedding telecast: the wedding train's elaborate individual panels, which were deliberately engineered to hold their shape as the bride walked the long aisle, and the pumps' lace covering. "It was a feat of engineering,” Burton says of her design, adding: “It needed to be light." The dress is estimated to have cost £250,000 (approx. $408,000) and according to curator Caroline de Guitaut, its waist size is "small."

De Guitaut added that it was Middleton's choice to put the dress on display: "The Duchess considered a number of options, and then decided that she would like it to be displayed here at Buckingham Palace, which of course was the scene for the celebrations after Westminster Abbey, so it is very fitting that it should be shown here exactly where the reception took place.”